Oregon group files lawsuit to protect rare plant

Oregon group files lawsuit to protect rare plant

Jan. 15, 2018

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A group of Oregon conservationists is suing the U.S. Forest Service after it reauthorized livestock grazing on grasslands within Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by the Greater Hells Canyon Council in La Grande, looks to protect a rare species of plant known as Spalding's catchfly, the Capital Press reported .

Spalding's catchfly, which is found only in eastern Washington, northeast Oregon, west-central Idaho, western Montana and British Columbia, Canada, is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The Forest Service is obligated to protect Spalding's catchfly under the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Comprehensive Management Plan, Greater Hells Canyon Council Conservation Director Veronica Warnock said.

"This isn't about a rancher doing something wrong," Warnock said. "This is about the Forest Service ignoring management recommendations on how to protect and recover a threatened species, something it is required to do in Hells Canyon."

A Forest Service spokesman said the agency cannot comment on pending litigation.